Cards on the Table: Wreath on the Grave

After the Geneva Convention, Viet Minh cadres are gathered to the North. There are also many who secretly stayed. Among them is Robert Nguyen Thanh Luan. He returns to Vinh Long, part of the diocese of Bishop Peter Ngo Dinh Thuc, who has known his Catholic family for long. The bishop adopts him into the Ngo family, where he begins associating with Ngo Dinh Nhu, the Vice President and Presidential Consultant of the Republic of Vietnam.

In 1955 Tay Ninh, the National United Front is established and gives Ngo Dinh Diem's government an ultimatum: reform or attack. Luan continues to handle his new rise of popularity within sociopolitical circles in South Vietnam. He goes to Da Lat for a vacation, where a meeting between him and a young woman has been arranged.

After a tumultuous arrival and subsequent stay in Da Lat for military training, Luan returns to Saigon a Major in the Presidential Special Forces. He and Thuy Dung continue their relationship. News that Ngo Dinh Diem is opening the Ban Me Thuot's Highland Economic Fair attracts many intelligence and security organizations, whose political purposes vary.

In 1959, Luan is appointed Commander of the Great Flood Operations and of Binh Duong's Security Corps, with full authority to stabilize this province. The Liaison Department of the Republic of Vietnam, under the support of the United States, send commandos to North Vietnam for reconnaissance. If the commandos successfully infiltrate, they will respond to South Vietnam with a tango. Tango No. 1 and Tango No. 2 have failed. What will become of the third tango?

The Government of the Republic of Vietnam is subjected to military attacks and protests everywhere. Law 10-59 is enacted. Luan is sent to the United States for further military course training. Upon his return in early 1961, Ngo Dinh Diem decides to make him the governor of Kien Hoa province (Ben Tre today) to conduct the Pacification Program, with special privileges at his disposal.

Luan continues to serve as the governor of Kien Hoa province and receives classified information sent by Y5, an agent installed by Kien Hoa Security in the Communist Party of Vietnam. He tries to identify Y5. The coup in 1960 ends with victory for the Republic's government, but unrest soon proves this result impermanent.

In 1963, amidst tense relations with Buddhism that may face international backlash, the Ngo family try to find a way around the situation, calling on Luan for missions worth his life. Saigon is heated. A coup may be under preparations. Tran Le Xuan goes on a diplomatic tour of Western nations, determined to clear names.